Chronicle EditorFreeman Razemba recently in Plumtree—-
Police have so far arrested 649 rustlers countrywide, while a total of 8 730 cattle have been stolen this year, as the force continue to come up with strategies to protect the national herd.According to police statistics, the stolen cattle and the arrests were recorded between January and October.
Of the 8 730 cattle, police recovered 2 692.
During the same period last year, 7 642 cattle were stolen and police recovered 2 306 while 576 stock thieves were arrested.
Matabeleland South province has the highest number of livestock theft.
Police Anti-Stock Theft Unit National Co-ordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza said most of the cattle were stolen from grazing lands.
“The unit has, however, been making deliberate efforts to curb theft of stock through several strategies including operations, campaigns and roadblocks as well as targeted patrols. During the campaigns and meetings with farmers and other stakeholders in the livestock and meat industry, several concerns are made,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Makodza who led a team of senior officers last week met with various stakeholders, traditional leaders and farmers in Matabeleland South province and they visited places such as Lutumba, Zezani all in Betibridge, Skuta in Filabusi, Mphoengs, Madabe, Figtree and Plumtree, among others.
During the meetings, the farmers raised concerns over the granting of bail to accused persons by the courts, lenient sentences, auctioning of stray cattle, middle men fraud, lack of pastures and water and unavailability of stock feeds, among others.
In response, Snr Asst Comm Makodza urged the farmers to join hands and come up with strategies to ensure that they drill boreholes and buy stock feeds for their livestock.
“Farmers should also join the Village Anti-Stock Theft Committees, and other committees working hand in hand with the police to be able to advance their grievances to the relevant authorities to find lasting solutions to their grievances,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Makodza also urged the business community to partner the farmers and the police by joining the Business Against Stock Theft Forum to protect the national herd.
Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt for seven suspects believed to be behind a spate of stock theft activities countrywide.
These are Felix Nyamuranga of Masvingo, Spencer Mudzinganyama and Toziwei Karimazondo all of Mutoko, Amon Nyathi, Vusimuzi Mafu, Prince Vusa and Nkosilathi Moyo all of Gwanda.
Anyone with information leading to their arrests should contact any nearest police station.
Online Reporter